WHY Make A MOBILE-PHONE APP?

Using a mobile app instead of a desktop app is critical to making a good solution.

A mobile app would allow people to help out on the go: wherever they are.

It also expands the amount of users who could have the app, especially in developing countries, where lots of people don’t have a desktop, but many people have a smartphone.

Using a smartphone also allows the good Samaritan to be guided directly to the person in distress.

Additionally, the phone can give updated information as the good Samaritan is in transit.

Given all these factors, we can see that a smartphone app is a better fit for this problem.

WHY Make A SMARTWATCH APP?

Using a smartwatch instead of a smartphone provides a few key improvements.

It allows for quicker response time. These few seconds it takes to pull out your smartphone can be the difference to save a life. The timing of EMS is critical and the app is trying to shave off minutes and seconds from our current EMS response times so utilizing the speed of a smartwatch response is worth it.

Using a smartwatch has a lower likelihood of a responder missing the notification. Since a watch is almost always on your wrist, the notifications can be more assured of reaching their intended targets. With a phone, sometimes people don’t feel or hear them in their pockets/purses.

The app allows the good Samaritan to have their hands free as they’re updated with information. Having to hold a phone in order to read or hear instructions can limit their ability to help out in a situation.

With all these factors under consideration, we think a smartwatch app is appropriate in this situation. There would certainly be a phone app as well, because smartwatch adoption is low at this time, but for those that have a smartwatch: all those seconds add up and could save many lives.